
Many are at a loss for words as they process, digest and unfortunately accept the fact that Prince, at just 57 years old, has died. The singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist’s impact on music and culture raised the bar and provided a standard for all artists to try and emulate, and despite many who gave their best effort, there was (and will only be) one Prince.
Shortly after news broke of his passing, many took to Twitter to express their shock, sadness and overall abandonment they now feel knowing one of the greats is no longer with us. From Questlove to Ava DuVernay, stars and fans react to the heart-wrenching news The Purple One has passed one.
This is what happens when doves cry.
My heart is broken. There are no words.
I love you!— SheilaEdrummer (@SheilaEdrummer) April 21, 2016
Another great artist gone too soon. The world will always have the joy of his music. RIP Prince. pic.twitter.com/hxgAMC6jF0
— Michael Jackson (@michaeljackson) April 21, 2016
I can’t fucking breathe right now
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) April 21, 2016
Glad I got to see Prince live…
— Ricky Smith (@Rickonia) April 21, 2016
“Paint a perfect picture. Bring to life a vision in one’s mind. The beautiful ones. Always smash the picture. Always every time.” #Prince xo
— Ava DuVernay (@AVAETC) April 21, 2016
RIP Prince. #genius
— Tony Goldwyn (@tonygoldwyn) April 21, 2016
RIP, Prince. Too, too young.
— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) April 21, 2016
As a DJ, This is WHY I play the music I play…because of days like this…to celebrate people while they are HERE. #Prince
— 9th Wonder (@9thwonder) April 21, 2016
Shocked & heartbroken to hear news of death of dear friend, #Prince.Pray for his family&thank God for his legacy. pic.twitter.com/M5qCx9iXkj
— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) April 21, 2016
RIP #Prince — apparently true. Among many other things, one one of the greatest flash guitarists of our time. Reeling…
— Kurt Loder (@kurt_loder) April 21, 2016
Taking off for New York with a heavy heart. I will leave you with this- Prince live from the Capitol Theater, 1982. https://t.co/m9m837OBK0
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) April 21, 2016
4 havin me perfrm 4 ur bday,4 middle of nite jam invites,4 havin me open 4 u&surprising me w/a rendition of No One Else. A TRUE Prince,gone.
— Amel Larrieux (@amellarrieux) April 21, 2016
💔💔💔💔 heartbroken… Just too soon. 💜💜💜💜 pic.twitter.com/GxP4RYYFPB
— Ayesha Curry (@ayeshacurry) April 21, 2016
This is too much death back to back
— Young Guru (@Young_Guru) April 21, 2016
I just wanna wake up from this nightmare. 57? No. Oh my Lord. NO!!!!!!!!!!!! Prince Rodgers Nelson was here and he showed OUT!!!!!!
— ?Jill Scott? (@missjillscott) April 21, 2016
“Dearly beloved
We are gathered here today
2 get through this thing called Life…”
-Prince— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) April 21, 2016
If you are coming out to the Lupe concert in Minneapolis tonight…make sure you wear some purple!!!
We gone put on for Prince tonight! ??
— Lupe Fiasco (@LupeFiasco) April 21, 2016
i don’t have words. The King is gone.
— lalah hathaway (@lalahhathaway) April 21, 2016
Shocked and soooo sad!! #RIP PRINCE #music #legend #gonetoosoon pic.twitter.com/KlEBPPl40U
— Jennifer Lopez (@JLo) April 21, 2016
Frank Ocean On Tumblr:
I’M NOT EVEN GONNA SAY REST IN PEACE BECAUSE IT’S BIGGER THAN DEATH. I NEVER MET THE MAN (I WAS TOO NERVOUS THE ONE TIME I SAW HIM) AND I NEVER SAW HIM PLAY LIVE, REGRETTABLY. I ONLY KNOW THE LEGENDS I’VE HEARD FROM FOLKS AND WHAT I’VE HEARD AND SEEN FROM HIS DEEP CATALOG OF PROPELLANT, FEARLESS, VIRTUOSIC WORK. MY ASSESSMENT IS THAT HE LEARNED EARLY ON HOW LITTLE VALUE TO ASSIGN TO SOMEONE ELSE’S OPINION OF YOU.. AN INFECTIOUS SENTIMENT THAT SEEMED SOAKED INTO HIS CLOTHES, HIS HAIR, HIS WALK, HIS GUITAR AND HIS PRIMAL SCREAM. HE WROTE MY FAVORITE SONG OF ALL TIME, ‘WHEN YOU WERE MINE’. IT’S A SIMPLE SONG WITH A SIMPLE MELODY THAT MAKES YOU WISH YOU THOUGHT OF IT FIRST, EVEN THOUGH YOU NEVER WOULD HAVE – A FLIRTATIOUS BRAND OF GENIUS THAT FEELS APPROACHABLE. HE WAS A STRAIGHT BLACK MAN WHO PLAYED HIS FIRST TELEVISED SET IN BIKINI BOTTOMS AND KNEE HIGH HEELED BOOTS, EPIC. HE MADE ME FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH HOW I IDENTIFY SEXUALLY SIMPLY BY HIS DISPLAY OF FREEDOM FROM AND IRREVERENCE FOR OBVIOUSLY ARCHAIC IDEAS LIKE GENDER CONFORMITY ETC. HE MOVED ME TO BE MORE DARING AND INTUITIVE WITH MY OWN WORK BY HIS DEMONSTRATION – HIS DENIAL OF THE PREVAILING MODEL…HIS FIGHT FOR HIS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY – ‘SLAVE’ WRITTEN ACROSS THE FOREHEAD, NAME CHANGED TO A SYMBOL… AN ALL OUT REBELLION AGAINST EXPLOITATION. A VANGUARD AND GENIUS BY EVERY METRIC I KNOW OF WHO AFFECTED MANY IN A WAY THAT WILL OUTRUN OBLIVION FOR A LONG WHILE. I’M PROUD TO BE A PRINCE FAN(STAN) FOR LIFE.
Will Smith:
President Barack Obama:
Pres. Obama on Prince: “The world lost a creative icon…nobody’s spirit was stronger, bolder, or more creative.” pic.twitter.com/3gznXs4Ktt
— ABC News (@ABC) April 21, 2016
#RIP Prince. Your music was the soundtrack to a special time in my life.
— Charlie Murphy (@charliemurphy) April 21, 2016
I LOVED him, the world LOVED him. Now he’s at peace with his Father. Rest in power, @prince, my brother. pic.twitter.com/ZN6cc3WWuF
— Chaka Khan (@ChakaKhan) April 21, 2016